As You Like It Journal- Rosalind - Act #1

I chose to fallow Rosalind's character through out this play. Rosalind is initially portrayed as being a passionate young women. She is first introduced in Act 1 scene 2 when her cousin Celia is shown trying to cheer her up, over the unfortunate situation with their fathers. Rosalind is unhappy about these circumstances: "I show more mirth than I am mistress of, and would you yet I were merrier? Unless you could teach me to forget a banished father, you must not learn me how to remember any extraordinary pleasure" (1.2.2-5) Celia tries to lighten the mood and changes the subject, they chat and joke around on a lighter note.

Rosalind and Celia are then persuaded to go to a wrestling match and cheer on the fighter Charles. His opponent Orlando ends up winning and the girls go to congratulate the man. Rosalind finds herself lovestruck by this very encounter, her happiness only to be damped by Duke Fredrick's sudden revelation. He spontaneously proposes that Rosalind shall be banished from court, for no better reason then she being her fathers daughter.

Celia then stands up for her beloved best friend. She continued to nobly defend Rosalind but this having no effect on her father she decided she should be banished along with her cousin if it had to come to that. This is the start of the girls master plan to run away to the Forest of Ardenne. Rosalind being upset to begin with about the family conflict then had to deal with her own consequence of being a disgrace to her uncle. Rosalind understand the sacrifice her friend made to help her out, and she is appreciate of her loyalty.